Updated Mar 30, 2025! X-Factor comic books in a definitive issue-by-issue collecting guide and reading order for omnibus, hardcover, and trade paperback collections. Find every issue and appearance! Part of Crushing Krisis’s Crushing Comics. Last updated March 2025 with titles scheduled for release through November 2025.
Marvel launched X-Factor in 1986 as an outlet for the original X-Men team of Cyclops, Iceman, Beast, Angel – and, in a late-breaking decision, the return of Jean Grey.
At the time, the X-Men were at their initial peak of being hated and feared. Public sentiment had turned against mutants. Professor Xavier had just been gravely injured in a hate crime. And, the government had formed its own mutant squad – Freedom Force – to keep the X-Men in line.
As a result, X-Factor launched not as an out-and-proud mutant team, but a team disguised as mutant hunters! In a slight nod to 1984’s hit Ghostbusters, the team suited up in matching jumpsuits and promised to dispose of any mutant problem (though, really they were letting most of their “captives” bunk with them in their own headquarters).
Meanwhile, Louise Simonson slowly built the tension of the comic of Apocalypse while re-establishing (or, really, establishing for the first time) Jean Grey’s character. Rather than a token female and romantic foil, she often became the lead of the book as a multi-dimensional person coming to terms with a cosmic force hijacking her life.
Within a few years the team’s true identities were exposed, but that sent the title into an identity crisis. If it followed the original five X-Men doing mutant things… shouldn’t it just be called X-Men?
Eventually, the line’s editors came to that conclusion, and merged the original five back into the main X-Men flagships with the 1991 launch of adjectiveless X-men.
In their wake, they left the team that would redefine the core X-Factor’s cast for the next 30 years. Peter A. David assembled a gathering of cast-offs including the 6th and 7th X-Men – Havok and Polaris, a little-known Claremontian mutant named Jamie Madrox – The Multiple Man, New Mutants refugee Wolfsbane, an overgrown bouncer generically named Strong Man, and one of the few non-X-Men mutants – Quicksilver.
The book was a surprise hit with fans, less a book about its team being a government-sanctioned squad of heroes and more about them being damaged people who lost the confidence to act heroically of their own accord. David left as the book became increasingly mired in X-line crossovers, but the focus stayed centered on Havok’s team as a rapid succession of replacements gave way to a lengthy run by Howard Mackie. The run later added Forge, Mystique, and Sabretooth as recurring cast members.
After an unrelated, X-adjacent mini-series in 2002, the franchise went dormant until it was revived in the wake of House of M by Peter A. David, back to center the book on a Private Investigation agency headed up by his longtime favorite Jamie Madrox and another unlikely cast of cast-offs. PAD’s 100+ issue run included PAD’s original 90s cast members Wolfsbane and Strong Guy, plus Rictor, Siryn, Monet, and Shatterstar – and, later, Longshot, Darwin, Pip the Troll, and the returning pair of Havok & Polaris.
The run was notable for its comedic take on detective noir, for character-focused stories, and for winning a GLAAD award for Rictor’s coming out and subsequent relationship with Shatterstar. After a brief break at the top of Marvel Now, PAD relaunched the team as a corporate security force lead by Polaris in an oft-ignored run that lasted an impressive 20 issues while other books struggled to pass a dozen.
X-Factor’s next return was under the pen of Leah Williams, who retained the “investigations” angle and Polaris as a cast member, but reimagined the book as Krakoa’s SVU – investigating mutant disappearances and wrongful deaths. It was a fun book filled with big ideas, but editorial tinkering killed it (and scuttled the final arc), shunting Williams and the team off into X-Men: The Trial of Magneto.
- Where to Start Reading X-Factor
- Major Collected Edition Formats
- X-Factor Reading Order
- X-Factor (1986) #1-149, -1, Annual 1-9,
Prisoner of Love OGN, & Spider-Man & X-Factor: Shadowgames (1994) #1-3 (Feb 1986 – Sep 1998) - X-Factor (2002) #1-4 (Jun – Oct 2002)
- Peter David’s X-Factor Investigations, featuring Jamie Madrox & Co. (Sep 2004 – Sep 2013)
- Madrox (2004) #1-5 (Sep 2004 – Jan 2005)
- X-Factor (2005) #1-50, The Quick & The Dead (2008) #1, and Layla Miller (2008) #1 (Dec 2005 – Oct 2009)
- X-Factor (1986) #200-262 & Nation X: X-Factor (2010) #1 (Dec 2009 – Sep 2013)
- All-New X-Factor (2014) #1-20 by Peter David & Carmine Di Giandomenico (Jan 2014 – Jan 2015)
- Multiple Man (2018) #1-5 by Matthew Rosenberg & Andy Macdonald (Jun – Oct 2018)
- The Age of Krakoa (2019 – 2021)
- X-Factor (2020) #1-10 by Leah Williams & David Baldeon (Jul 2020 – June 2021)
- X-Men: The Trial of Magneto (2021) #1-5 by Leah Williams (Jul 2021 – Dec 2021)
- X-Men – From the Ashes (2024 – present)
- X-Factor (2024) #1-10) by Mark Russell & Bob Quinn (Aug 2024 – May 2025)
- X-Factor (1986) #1-149, -1, Annual 1-9,
- Out-of-Continuity X-Factor
- X-Factor Forever (2010) & X-Factor Forever Saga (2010)
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Omnibus & Oversize Hardcovers
X-Factor’s 1986 series only has one omnibus of its own as of this writing, but that hasn’t stopped it from appearing across over a dozen omnibus and oversize hardcover volumes – typically themed around crossovers or events.
Click to expand a list of Omnibus & Oversize Hardcovers
(1986) #27-50 & Annual 3-4: X-Factor: The Original X-Men Omnibus, Vol. 2
(2026 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302966096 / digital TBA)
Collects X-Factor (1986) #27-50 & Annual #3-4; X-Terminators (1988) #1-4; Uncanny X-Men (1963) #240-243; New Mutants (1983) #76; Fantastic Four (1961) #342; and material from New Mutants Annual #5; andMarvel Comics Presents (1988) #15 & 17-24
Issues #27-40 are are also collected across a pair of “event” omnibuses that include material spanning the entire X-Men Line; plus, some other issues in this range have appeared in other omnis. Click to expand the list.
(1986) #51-59: Not collected in this format except #55 in PAD Vol. 1, below. Annual 5 fits between #58-59.
(1986) Annual 5: X-Men: Days of Future Past (and, also, below in PAD Vol. 1)
(2014 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785184423)
Collects the original Days of Future Past story inUncanny X-Men (1963) #141-142; the “Days of Future Present” 1990 crossover from New Mutants (1983) Annual 6, X-Factor (1986) Annual 5, Uncanny X-Men (1963) Annual 14, and Fantastic Four (1961) Annual 23; and Excalibur’s foray into Ahab’s future from Excalibur (1988) #52 and 66-67; plus Wolverine: Days of Future Past (1997)#1-3 and material from Hulk Broken Worlds #2.
(1986) Annual 5, #60-62, & Annual 6:
X-Men: X-Tinction Agenda Omnibus (2024 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302960117 / digital)
This is really the “X-Tinction Agenda / Days of Future Present / Kings of of Pain / Claremont Companion” omnibus. It collects X-Tinction Agenda (Uncanny X-Men (1981) #270-272, New Mutants (1983) #95-97, X-Factor (1986) #60-62), Days of Future Present (Annual 14 and material from New Mutants (1983) Annual 6, X-Factor (1986) Annual 5, & Fantastic Four (1961) Annual 23), Kings of Pain (Annual 15 and material from New Mutants (1983) Annual 7, X-Factor (1986) Annual 6, and New Warriors (1990) Annual 1), X-Men: Spotlight on Starjammers (1990) #1-2, and X-Men stories from Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #10-17, 24-32, 41, 43, & 48-49, Marvel Super-Heroes (1990) #2 & 6-8, Marvel Holiday Special (1991) #1, and Marvel Tales (1964) #262.
(1986) #60-62: X-Men: X-Tinction Agenda
(2011 oversize hardcover, IBSN 978-0785155317 / 2016 paperback, ISBN 978-1302901004 / digital)
Collects Uncanny X-Men (1963) #235-238 & 270-272, New Mutants (1983) #95-97, and X-Factor (1986) #60-62. Two earlier editions both omit the earlier four-issue arc of Uncanny X-Men – X-Men: X-Tinction Agenda (1996 paperback, ISBN 978-0871359223) and X-Men: Milestones edition (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302919689 / digital)
(1986) Annual 6: The Kings of Pain crossover material from this annual is included in X-Force Omnibus, Vol. 1 and New Warriors Omnibus, Vol. 1, but not any of the back-up stories. Also, see below in PAD Vol. 1)
(1986) #63-70: X-Men by Claremont / Lee Omnibus, Vol. 2
(2012 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785159056 / 2021 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302927141 / digital)
An utterly classic collection of the stories leading up to the launch of X-Men, Vol. 2. Because Claremont and Lee plotted the post-X-Tinction issues of X-Factor leading into the Muir Island Saga, they are also included here! Collects Uncanny X-Men (1963) #273-280; X-Factor (1986) #63-70; X-Men (1991) #1-9 & 10-11 (A-stories only); & Ghost Rider (1990) #26-27.
(1986) #55, 70-92, & Annual 5-8: by Peter David Omnibus, Vol. 1
(2021 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302930653 / 2025 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302963705 / digital)
Collects X-Factor (1986) #55, 70-92, & Annual #7-8, a crossover with Incredible Hulk (1968) #390-392, and material from X-Factor (1986) Annual 5-6 and New Mutants (1983) Annual 6.
Issues from both “X-Cutioner’s Song” and “Fatal Attactions” have also been collected in other X-Men line omnibuses. Click to expand the list.
(1986) #93-105 & Annual 9: Not collected in this format
(1986) #106: X-Men: Phalanx Covenant
(2014 Oversize Hardcover, ISBN 978-0785185499)
Collects Uncanny X-Men (1963) #306, #311-314 & #316-317; Excalibur (1988) #78-82; X-Men (1991) #36-37; X-Factor (1986) #106; X-Force (1991) #38; Wolverine (1988) #85; & Cable (1993) #16. Issue #106 is also collected in Cable & X-Force Omnibus (2019 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302917777) along with the X-Force, Excalibur, and Wolverine issues only.
(1986) #107-109: X-Men: Legionquest
(2018 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302910389 / digital)
Collects Uncanny X-Men (1963) #318-321, X-Men (1991) #38-41 & Annual 3, X-Men Unlimited (1993) #4-7, X-Factor (1986) #107-109, and Cable (1993) #20
(1986) #110-124: Not collected in this format
(1986) #125-126: A part of Onslaught. See Guide to Marvel Universe Events: Onslaught for collection information.
(1986) #127-149: Not collected in this format
(2002) #1-4: Not collected in this format.
(2005) #1-39: by Peter David Omnibus, Vol. 2
(2022 oversize hardcover, IBSN 978-1302945220 / digital)
Collects Madrox (2004) #1-5; X-Factor (2005) #1-20, #21-24 (A-Stories), & #25-39; X-Factor: The Quick and the Dead One-Shot (2008); X-Factor Special: Layla Miller One-Shot (2008); and She-Hulk (2005) #31
(2005) #40-50 & (1986 / 2005) #200-232 & 224.1: by Peter David Omnibus, Vol. 3
(2024 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302953300 / digital)
Collects X-Factor (2005) #40-50, (1986 / 2005) #200-232, & #224.1; and Nation X: X-Factor (2010). Issues #204-206 are also collected in Second Coming: Revelations (2010 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785150077 / 2011 paperback, ISBN 978-0785157069 / digital), though they do not directly cross over with the event.
(1986 / 2005) #233-262 & All-New (2014) #1-20: by Peter David Omnibus, Vol. 4
(2025 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302964252 / digital TBA)
Also collects X-Men Legends (2021) #5-6.
(2020) #1-10: Not collected in this format, except for issue #4 along with X of Swords (below).
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Paperback Epic Collections & Complete Collections
Epic Collections comprehensively collect a character, series, or line of titles in numbered volumes pre-mapped by Marvel. The catch is that the volumes do not come out in chronological order, so the release of a Vol. 1 can be followed by a Vol. 9!. Marvel has gone back to print on many Epic Collections, so there is no reason to think that they will go permanently out-of-print like other Marvel collected editions.
Complete Collections are a paperback reprinting of large swaths of issues, sometimes recollecting two or more original trade paperback releases. They often collect additional issues that weren’t included with earlier collections. Unlike Epic Collections, Complete Collections are not typically reprinted by Marvel – and their lines are not always completed.
Click to expand a list of Epic Collections & Complete Collections
X-Factor Reading Order
X-Factor (1986) #1- 70, Annual 1-6, & Prisoner of Love OGN (Feb 1986 – Sep 1991)
Begins February 1986, at the same time as Uncanny X-Men #202 and New Mutants #36.
The first five years of X-Factor saw the introduction and initial development of Apocalypse, the transformation of Angel to Archangel, and the genesis of Cable. It also served as a sort of home-base for many line-wide storylines such as Fall of the Mutants and Inferno – both played out central elements of their stories in X-Factor.
The team was increasingly incorporated into the Uncanny X-Men continuity until the five members eventually merged back to the core pair of X-books. [Marvel Unlimited: X-Factor, Annuals]
For omnibus collections, see above.
as Essential black-and-white paperbacks…
Click to expand a list of Essential Collectionsas collected by storyline or single issue…
#1: X-Men: Phoenix Rising (2009 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785139485 / 2011 paperback, ISBN 978-0785157861 / digital)
Acts as a prelude to X-Factor, collecting all of the books connected to Jean Grey’s revival – Avengers (1963) #263, Fantastic Four (1961) #286, X-Factor (1986) #1, and Classic X-Men (1986) #8 & #43.
#1-9 & Annual 1: Genesis & Apocalypse (Epic Vol. 1) (2021 paperback, ISBN 9781-302-900687 / digital)
Collects Avengers (1963) #263; Fantastic Four (1961) #286; X-Factor (1986) #1-9 & Annual 1; and material from Classic X-Men (1986) #8 & 43. Annual 1 fits between issues #4-5.
#5-6: The Rise of Apocalypse (1998 paperback, ISBN 978-0785105862)
Collected as background material to this muddled limited series about Apocalypse’s origin in ancient Egypt. Further collections of this series do not include the X-Factor issues.
#9-11: X-Men: Mutant Massacre (2010 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785138051 / digital / 2013 paperback, ISBN 978-0785167419 / digital / 2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302918538 / digital)
Collects Uncanny X-Men (1963) #210-214, X-Factor (1986) #9-11, New Mutants (1983) #46, Thor #373-374, Power Pack (1984) #27, Daredevil #238. A 2001 paperback version (ISBN 978-0785102243) omitted UXM #214 and Daredevil #238.
#12-14, 16-17, & Annual 2: Not collected in this format, but collected in oversize, above. Mephisto vs. falls between #12-13. Annual 2 fits at the end of this run. Boom Boom departs X-Factor for Fallen Angels and then New Mutants after #17.
Mephisto vs. X-Factor (2009 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785138044 / digital)
X-Factor’s appearance in issue #2 of Mephisto Vs… fits in after #12. Collects Collects Mephisto vs. (1987) #1 – Fantastic Four, #2 – X-Factor, #3 – X-Men, #4 – Avengers.
#15, 24-25: X-Men: Mutations (1996 paperback, ISBN 978-0785101970)
Collects the reintroductions of Psylocke along with older “mutations” of Beast and Archangel, from Uncanny X-Men #256-258, Amazing Adventures #11 & 17, and X-Factor #15, 24-25, respectively.
#18-26: X-Men: Fall of the Mutants, Vol. 2 (2013 paperback, ISBN 978-0785166856 / digital)
Collects X-Factor (1986) #18-26, Incredible Hulk (1968) #336-337, Power Pack (1984) #35, Daredevil (1964) #252, Captain America (1968) #339, Fantastic Four (1961) #312. Volume 1 did not include X-Factor issues.
#21-36: Angel of Death (Epic Vol. 3) (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302927103 / digital)
Collects X-Factor (1986) #21-36 & Annual 3 and Power Pack (1984) #35
#24-26: X-Men Milestones: Fall of the Mutants (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302918514 / digital)
Collects only the issues originally bannered as “The Fall of the Mutants” on their covers – Uncanny X-Men (1963) #225-227, X-Factor (1986) #24-26, and New Mutants (1983) #59-61. Previously collected in a 2002 paperback version (ISBN 978-0785108252)
#27-32 & Annual 3: Not collected in this format, but collected in oversize, above. Annual 3 occurs around #30. The A-Story is part of Evolutionary War. See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Evolutionary War
#33-40: X-Men Milestones: Inferno (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302919702 / digital)
Collects the entire core of the Inferno crossover: X-Factor (1986) #33-40, X-Terminators (1988) #1-4, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #239-243, New Mutants (1983) #71-73
#33-36: X-Men: Inferno, Vol. 1 (2016 paperback, ISBN 978-0785195115)
Collects Power Pack (1984) #40, 42-43; X-Factor (1986) #33-36; X-Terminators #1-4; Uncanny X-Men #239-240; and New Mutants (1983) #71-72
#37-40: X-Men: Inferno, Vol. 2 (2016 paperback, ISBN 978-0785195443)
This pads itself out with the official Inferno crossover plus some issues that were not contained in the Inferno Omnibus: Collects Uncanny X-Men #241-243, Excalibur #6-7, X-Factor #37-40, New Mutants #73 (but not material from X-Factor Annual #4?), Cloak & Dagger #4 and Power Pack #44.
Issues #37-40 are also often collected alongside Uncanny X-Men – see Guide to Uncanny X-Men by Chris Claremont (1974 – 1991).
#37-50 & Annual 4: Judgement War (Epic Collection Vol. 4) (2023 paperback, ISBN 978-1302953980 / digital)
Collects X-Factor (1986) #37-50 & Annual 4 and the core issues of the Inferno crossover with Uncanny X-Men (1981) #242-243. This is the first time the Judgement War storyline has been collected in color.
Annual 4: Atlantis Attacks: The Original Epic (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302930318)
Collects New Mutants (1983) #76; and material from all of the Atlantis Attacks annuals – which includes the A-Stories and a Serpent Crown back-up, but not necessarily B-stories. Includes Silver Surfer Annual 2, Iron Man Annual 10, Avengers West Coast (1989) #56, Marvel Comics Presents (1988) 26, Avengers West Coast Annual 4, Uncanny X-Men Annual 13, Amazing Spider-Man (1963) Annual 23, Punisher Annual 2, Spectacular Spider-Man Annual 9, Daredevil Annual 5, Avengers Annual 18, New Mutants Annual 5, X-Factor Annual 4, Web of Spider-Man Annual 5, Thor Annual 14, Fantastic Four Annual 22.
After Inferno, Beast appears in a story in Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #39-44 (he is not in #38).
#41-42: X-Men Legends Volume 3: Arthur Adams (2003 paperback, ISBN 978-0785110491 / digital)
Collects a number of Arthur Adams illustrated comics – Web of Spider-Man Annual #2, Cloak and Dagger #9, Fantastic Four (1st series) #347-349, New Mutants Special Edition #1, Uncanny X-Men Annuals #10 and #12, X-Factor #41-42, and possibly Uncanny X-Men Annual #9.
After #42 (and possibly during Atlantis Attacks), Cyclops stars in a featured solo story in Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #17-24.
#51-59 & Prisoner of Love OGN (1990): Not collected in this format, though #55 is collected in oversize, above. Annual 5 fits between #58-59. Prisoner of Love fits between #59-60 for Beast.
After Annual 5 and before #59, Iceman teams up with Human Torch in Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #74 (4th story). After #59 & Prisoner of Love, the team is in Marvel Fanfare (1982) #60. Then, Beast is in Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #85-92.
Annual 5: X-Men: Days of Future Present (1992 paperback, ISBN 978-0871357397 / digital)
Collects Uncanny X-Men (1963) Annual 14, X-Factor (1986) Annual 5, New Mutants (1983) Annual 6, and Fantastic Four (1961) Annual 23.
#60-62: X-Men: X-Tinction Agenda
(2011 oversize hardcover, IBSN 978-0785155317 / 2016 paperback, ISBN 978-1302901004 / digital)
Collects Uncanny X-Men (1963) #235-238 & 270-272, New Mutants (1983) #95-97, and X-Factor (1986) #60-62. Two earlier editions both omit the earlier four-issue arc of Uncanny X-Men – X-Men: X-Tinction Agenda (1996 paperback, ISBN 978-0871359223) and X-Men: Milestones edition (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302919689 / digital)
After X-Tinction Agenda, the team guest stars in Ghost Rider (1990) #9
#63-64: X-Factor Forever (2010 paperback, ISBN 978-0785147992 / digital)
Depicts a story by Louise Simonson that was set up but left untold when she left the title. The continuity of this limited series is treated as an alternate universe, branching from issue #63-64.
Annual 6: New Warriors Classic, Vol. 2 (2010 paperback, ISBN 978-0785142638 / digital)
Part of Kings of Pain. Collecting New Warriors (1990) #7-10, Annual #1; New Mutants Annual #7, Uncanny X-Men Annual #15, and X-Factor Annual #6. See Guide to New Mutants & Young X-Men or Guide to New Warriors for further collection options.
#65-70 & Annual 6: X-Men: Mutant Genesis (Vol. 19) (2017 paperback, ISBN 978-1302903916/ digital)
Collects X-Factor (1986) #65-70, Uncanny X-men (1963) #278-280 & Annual 15, X-Men (1991) #1-3; material from New Mutants (1983) Annual 7 and X-Factor Annual 6
#69-70: X-Men: Shadow King Rising (2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302909550 / digital)
Collects the complete Legion and Shadow King plot from New Mutants (1983) #26-28, 44; Uncanny X-Men (1981) #253-255, 278-280; and X-Factor (1986) #69-70
X-Factor, Vol. 1: Havok’s Reign – #71-149, Annual 7-9,
& Spider-Man & X-Factor: Shadowgame (1994) #1-4 (Oct 1991 – Sep 1998)
Begins in October 1991, alongside X-Men #1, Uncanny X-Men #281, X-Force #1, Wolverine #47, and Excalibur #55.
At the same time Marvel launched its marquee adjectiveless X-Men title, X-Factor was re-launched with a pack of cast-off characters – sporadic X-Men members Havok and Polaris, New Mutants castoff Wolfsbane, sometimes-Avenger Quicksilver, and random supporting characters Strong Guy and Multiple Man.
While wholesale relaunches are typically a sign of book in its death-throes, here it was an unmitigated success. The critically-acclaimed writing of Peter David along with art from Larry Stroman and Joe Quesada helped to re-define this sextet of characters until David’s run on the book ended, at which point it descended to more typical satellite X-book plots.
Still, David’s character developments are felt to this day – as are the themes of his volume. Forge later joined the title, along with Mystique and Wild Child. [Marvel Unlimited: X-Factor, Annuals, Spider-Man & X-Factor: Shadowgames]
as a set of four “Visionaries” paperbacks…
#71-75: X-Factor Visionaries – Peter David, Vol. 1 (ISBN 0-7851-1872-1)
#76-78: X-Factor Visionaries – Peter David, Vol. 2 (ISBN 0-7851-2456-X)
Collects crossover with Incredible Hulk #390-392
#79-83, Annual 7/1992: X-Factor Visionaries: Peter David, Vol. 3 (ISBN 0-7851-2457-8)
Annual 7/1992 is part of a crossover to other X-annuals, and actually may fit between #76-77 in the prior volume.
#84-89, Annual 8/1993: X-Factor Visionaries – Peter David, Vol. 4 (ISBN 0-7851-2745-3)
Yes, this collects the X-Cutioner’s Song issues with none of the other crossover material. Annual 8 occurs at the end of this run, but prior to #92.
as collected by single issue or story…
#71-83 & Annual 7: All-New, All-Different X-Factor (Epic Vol. 7) (2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302913861 / digital)
Collects X-Factor (1986) #71-83 & Annual 7 and a crossover with Incredible Hulk (1968) #390-392
After #78, the entire team appears in Alpha Flight (1983) #107. However, it has never been collected alongside X-Factor. After #83, the entire team appears as background players throughout Infinity War and its tie-ins, and then immediately after in Mys-Tech Wars (1993) #1 & 3
#84-86: X-Cutioner’s Song
(2011 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785156109 / 2016 paperback, ISBN 978-1302900304 / digital / 2019 “Milestones” paperback / digital)
Collects X-Factor (1986) #84-86, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #294-297, X-Force (1991) #16-18, X-Men (1991) #14-16, and Stryfe’s Strike File (1993) #1. Previously collected in a 1997 paperback (ISBN 978-0785100256) without UXM #297. Also collected in other Epic Collection lines that contain the crossover in full.
#84-100 & Annual 8/1993: X-Aminations (Epic Vol. 8) (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302920579 / digital)
#92: X-Men: Fatal Attractions (2016 paperback, ISBN 978-1302901059 / digital / 2019 “Milestones” paperback, ISBN 978-1302919726 / digital)
Collects Uncanny X-Men (1963) #298-300, 303-304, 315; X-Factor (1986) #92; X-Force (1991) #25; X-Men Unlimited (1993) #2; X-Men (1991) #25. Note that the oversized hardcover version has different contents. A 1995 paperback (ISBN 978-0785100652) collected only the anniversary hologram cover issues (Excalibur (1988) #71, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #304, Wolverine (1988) #75, X-Factor (1986) #92, X-Force (1991) #25, and X-Men (1991) #25.)
After #93 and UXM #304, the entire team appears as background players throughout Infinity Crusade and its tie-ins. Though the Shadowgames mini-series is collected with #101-111, it is best read between #95-96.
#101-111 & Annual 9/1994: Afterlives (Epic Vol. 9) (2022 paperback, ISBN 978-1302934514 / digital)
Collects X-Factor (1986) #101-111 & Annual 9/1994, Spider-Man & X-Factor: Shadowgames (1994) #1-3 (which fits between #95-96), X-Force (1991) #38, and Excalibur (1988) #82
Spider-Man & X-Factor: Shadowgames (1994) #1-3: In Epic Vol. 9, directly above. This Kurt Busiek mini-series fits between issues #95-96 for the team.
#106: X-Men Milestones: Phalanx Covenant (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1302920548 / digital)
Collects Uncanny X-Men (1963) #305-306, 312-313, & 316-317; Excalibur (1988) #78-80 & 82; X-Men (1991) #36-37; X-Factor (1986) #106; X-Force (1991) #38; Wolverine (1988) #85; and Cable (1993) #16
#106: X-Force: Phalanx Covenant (2013 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785162711 / digital)
Collects X-Force #38-43, Excalibur #82, and X-Factor #106.
#106: X-Men: Origin of Generation X (Phalanx Covenant) (2001 paperback, ISBN 978-0785102168)
The “Generation Next” crossover that launched Generation X; collects X-Factor (1986) #106, X-Force (1991) #38, Excalibur (1988) #82, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #316-317, X-Men (1991) #36-37, Wolverine (1988) #85, Cable (1993) #16, & Generation X (1994) #1.
#108-109: The Complete Age of Apocalypse, Prelude (2011 newsprint paperback, ISBN 978-0785155089)
Buyer beware! A paperback with incredibly low reproduction quality on newsprint paper. It’s unclear on whether this collects the entirety of each of these issues, or just portions relevant to the crossover. Collects X-Factor (1986) #108-109, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #319-321, X-Men (1991) #38-41, Cable (1993) #20, and X-Men Age of Apocalypse Ashcan Edition.
(Here X-Factor becomes Factor X #1-4 for four months as part of the Age of Apocalypse crossover, which does not interrupt the numbering of X-Factor. See Guide to Marvel Universe Events: Age of Apocalypse)
After Age of Apocalypse, the team is reduced to Havok, Polaris, and Forge. It immediately adds Mystique and Wild Child, and later Shard and Sabretooth.
#112-126: Wreaking Havok (Epic Collection Vol. 1o) (2025 paperback, ISBN 978-1302959708 / digital)
Collects X-Factor (1986) #112-126, Sabretooth and Mystique (1996) #1-4, Marvel Fanfare (1996) #6, and material from X-Men Prime (1995) #1
#125-126: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events: Onslaught for collection information.
Many team members continue from #126 to UXM #339, then much of the team is in a featured team-up in Marvel Fanfare (1996) #6, and then Sabretooth and Mystique are in Sabretooth & Mystique (1996) #1-4 before returning to X-Factor in #127.
#127-149 & -1: Not collected. Issue #-1 was a flashback issue published between #135-136. Strong Guy Reborn #1 fits after #135. Also, Sabretooth is in Sabretooth (1998) #1 (AKA “Back to Nature”) between #135-136.
At the end of this series, Havok moves on to this own title – Mutant X. Polaris returns to the cast of X-Men (1991) in issue #97.
X-Factor (2002) #1-4 (Jun – Oct 2002)
Issues #1-4 of this mini-series about an FBI team investigating anti-Mutant crimes was solicited as a paperback ISBN-1o of 078511016X and ISBN-13 of 978-0785110163, but I cannot prove it was every printed! Please leave me a comment if you have ever seen a copy. [Marvel Unlimited]
X-Factor (2005) #1-50, 200-262, 224.1,
The Quick and the Dead (2008) #1, Layla Miller (2008) #1, Nation X: X-Factor (2010) #1,
& Madrox (2004) #1-5 (Sep 2004 – Sep 2013)
Begins January 2006, concurrent to Uncanny X-Men #466 and Decimation – the mutant-depowering aftermath of House of M, as explored in X-Men #177, New X-Men: Academy X #20, and New Excalibur #1.
The third volume of X-Factor returns Peter David to the helm and resumes the concept of the latter half of the first volume of X-Factor, where the team is a less-violent, investigative facet of the X-Men universe.
The volume begins with Jamie Madrox renting an office along with Rahne (AKA Wolfsbane) and Strong Guy, who are joined by the hilariously bitchy pair of Siryn and M, a recently depowered Rictor, and mysterious House-of-M moppet Layla Miller. Quicksilver loiters on the sidelines, and Longshot and Shatterstar later join the fray.
Despite the unheroic tone and staying mostly clear of X-book storylines, the book’s many arcs plays close to the center of Marvel’s continuity, particularly through the inclusion of House of M’s deux ex machina Layla Miller.
Peter David and the editorial staff execute an impressive amount of control over the book, keeping the look and feel consistent across multiple pencilers – partially due to a carefully cultivated pallette of colors. Clearly David has some sway at Marvel, possibly due to the fact that his old partner Joe Quesada is now editor-in-chief!
As of issue #50 it was re-numbered to #200 to rejoin the numbering of Vol. 1, which ended at #149. [Marvel Unlimited: Madrox, X-Factor, The Quick and the Dead #1, Layla Miller #1, Nation X: X-Factor #1]
in Omnibus oversize hardcover…
This reprint line continues its numbering from the volume collecting PAD’s initial 1991 run.
by Peter David Omnibus, Vol. 2 (2022 oversize hardcover, IBSN 978-1302945220)
Collects Madrox (2004) #1-5; X-Factor (2005) #1-20, #21-24 (A-Stories), & #25-39; X-Factor: The Quick and the Dead One-Shot (2008); X-Factor Special: Layla Miller One-Shot (2008); and She-Hulk (2005) #31
by Peter David Omnibus, Vol. 3 (2023 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302953300)
Collects X-Factor (2005) #40-50, (1986 / 2005) #200-232, & #224.1; and Nation X: X-Factor (2010).
by Peter David Omnibus, Vol. 4 (2025 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302964252 / digital TBA)
Collects X-Factor (1986) #233-262, All-New X-Factor (2014) #1-20, and X-Men Legends (2021) #5-6.
in a pair of “Complete Collection” paperbacks…
(2005) #1-12: by Peter David: The Complete Collection Volume 1 (2014 paperback, ISBN 978-0785154389 / digital)
Collects Madrox (2004) #1-5 and X-Factor (2005) #1-12.
(2005) #13-32: by Peter David: The Complete Collection Volume 2 (2014 paperback, ISBN 978-0785154396 / digital)
Collects X-Factor (2005) #13-24 & 28-32, X-Factor: The Quick and the Dead, and X-Factor Special: Layla Miller One-Shot. Omits Messiah Complex crossover issues.
The series was originally collected in 21 volumes – plus a 0 volume and direct participation in a major X-Men crossover.
Madrox (2004) #1-5: Madrox – Multiple Choice (2008 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785130314 / 2005 paperback, ISBN 978-0785115007 / digital)
Referred to as “X-Factor, Vol. 0,” this six-issue limited series acts as a prelude to the relaunched X-Factor.
#1-6: Vol. 1: The Longest Night (2006 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785123514 / 2007 paperback, ISBN 978-0785118176 / digital)
#7-12: Vol. 2: Life and Death Matters (2007 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785126232 / 2007 paperback, ISBN 978-0785121466 / digital)
#13-17: Vol. 3: Many Lives of Madrox (2007 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785128052
/ 2007 paperback, ISBN 978-0785123590 / digital)
#18-24: Vol. 4: Heart of Ice (2008 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785128519 / 2008 paperback, ISBN 978-0785123606 / digital)
#25-27: X-Men: Messiah Complex
(2008 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785128991 / 2008 paperback, ISBN 978-0785123200 / digital / 2020 “Milestones” paperback, ISBN 978-1302922801 / digital)
Collects X-Men: Messiah CompleX One-Shot, Uncanny X-Men (1963) #492-494, X-Men (1991) #205-207, New X-Men (2004) #44-46, X-Factor (2005) #25-27, and X-Men: Messiah CompleX – Mutant Files. (Milestones edition may omit Mutant Files).
#28-32: Volume 5: The Only Game In Town (2008 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785128625 / 2008 paperback, ISBN 978-0785128632/ digital)
Rahne leaves the team to join X-Force. Also collects X-Factor: The Quick and the Dead.
#33-38: Volume 6: Secret Invasion (2009 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785128649 / 2009 paperback, ISBN 0-7851-2865-4 / digital)
Also collects She-Hulk #31. Longshot and Darwin join the team. This volume is not a fan favorite – readers considered Secret Invasion to be an interruption of a strong succession of arcs.
#39-45: Volume 7: Time and a Half (2009 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785141716/ 2009 paperback, ISBN 978-0785138365 / digital)
Shatterstar joins the team in issue #43.
#46-50: Volume 8: Overtime (2009 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785142263 / 2009 paperback, ISBN 978-0785138372 / digital)
Also collects X-Factor: Layla Miller.
Legacy issue re-numbering to match Vol. 1 begins…
#200-203: Volume 9: Invisible Woman has Vanished (2010 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785146575 / 2010 paperback, ISBN 978-0785146568 / digital)
An entertaining caper with Valeria Richards and Dr. Doom. Also available in hardcover.
#204-206: Volume 10: Second Coming (2010 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785148920 / 2011 paperback, ISBN 978-0785143697 / digital)
Also collects Nation X: X-Factor. Issues #204-206 are also collected in Second Coming: Revelations (2010 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785150077 / 2011 paperback, ISBN 978-0785157069 / digital), though they do not directly cross over with the event.
#207-212: Volume 11: Happenings in Vegas (2011 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785146582 / 2011 paperback, ISBN 978-0785146551 / digital)
#213-219: Volume 12: Scar Tissue (2011 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785152835 / 2012 paperback, ISBN 978-0785152842 / digital)
Focuses on the aftermath of X-Factor’s Las Vegas adventure, including two issues focusing on Darwin (who departs the team), and a job protecting Spider-Man’s J. Jonah Jameson. Also available in hardcover.
#220-224: Volume 13: Hard Labour (2011 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785152859 / 2012 paperback, ISBN 978-0785152866 / digital)
Focuses on the birth of Rahne’s child.
Avengers: The Children’s Crusade
(2012 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785136385 / 2012 paperback, ISBN 978-0785135494 / digital)
While X-Factor does not appear until halfway through this story (in #6-9), it winds up being a pivotal one for one member in particular! Collects Avengers: The Children’s Crusade #1-9, which re-introduces Scarlet Witch after a half-decade away from the spotlight. Also includes the B-story from Uncanny X-Men #526 and Avengers: The Children’s Crusade -Young Avengers.
#224.1 & 225-228: Volume 14: Super Unnatural (2012 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785160588 / 2012 paperback, ISBN 978-0785160595 / digital)
X-Men: Schism
(2012 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-0785156680 / 2012 paperback, ISBN 978-0785156888 / digital)
Collects the Schism mini-series, X-Men: Choosing Sides, and X-Men: Regenesis. This event reshapes the X-Men line. X-Factor is absent from Schism, but events in the Regenesis one-shot will effect the next book of X-Factor.
#229-232: Volume 15: They Keep Killing Jamie Madrox (2012 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785160601 / 2012 paperback, ISBN 978-0785160618 / digital)
Havok and Polaris rejoin the team, while Madrox tries to find his way back.
At this point, Marvel ended the hardcover versions of this title.
#233-236: Volume 16: Together Again for the First Time (2012 paperback, ISBN 978-0785160632 / digital)
Also collects Wolverine (1988) #54
#237-240: Volume 17: The Road to Redemption (2012 paperback, ISBN 978-0785164135 / digital)
#241-245: Volume 18: Breaking Points (2013 paperback, ISBN 978-0785165125 / digital)
#246-249: Volume 19: Short Stories (20xx paperback, ISBN 978-0785166993 / digital)
#250-256: Volume 20: Hell on Earth War (2013 paperback, ISBN 978-0785167006 / digital)
Heavily featuring Rahne and Guido.
#257-262: Volume 21: The End of X-Factor (2014 paperback, ISBN 978-0785167013 / digital)
From here, the cast splinters:
- Jamie Madrox & Layla go into a hiatus enforced by Peter David
- Monet continues to X-Men, Vol. 4 around issue #7
- Havok stars in Uncanny Avengers since Issue #18
- Polaris continues to All-New X-Factor, below
- Guido has apparently been claimed, but has yet to make a reappearance
- Longshot continues to his four-issue mini-series, Longshot Saves the Marvel Universe
- Richtor, Shatterstar, Rahne, and Darwin have yet to be claimed by other writers
- Siryn is still missing in action
All-New X-Factor (2014) #1-20:
Peter David & Carmine Di Giandomenico’s Serval Industries Squad (Jan 2014 – Jan 2015)
Peter David relaunches X-Factor as a corporate squad for Serval Industries lead by Polaris and featuring Gambit, Quicksilver, Danger, Cypher, and Warlock – and a few others who turn up along the way. [Marvel Unlimited]
in omnibus…
by Peter David Omnibus, Vol. 4 (2025 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302964252 / digital TBA)
Collects X-Factor (1986) #233-262, All-New X-Factor (2014) #1-20, and X-Men Legends (2021) #5-6.
as originally collected…
#1-6: Vol. 1: Not Brand X (2014 paperback, ISBN 978-0785188162/ digital)
#6-12: Vol. 2: Change of Decay (2014 paperback, ISBN 978-0785188179/ digital)
#13-20: Vol. 3: Axis (2015 paperback, ISBN 978-0785188186 / digital)
Note that some solicits say this ends with issue #18; I have personally confirmed that it continues through issue #20.
Marvel Fresh Start: Multiple Man (2018) #1-5 by Matthew Rosenberg Andy Macdonald (Jun – Oct 2018)
This is not an X-Factor series! However, Jamie Madrox makes his first appearance since IvX in this mini-series in such a way that finally resolves his character arc from Peter David’s run. If anything, this book dovetails with Matthew Rosenberg’s New Mutants: Dead Souls and his run of Uncanny X-Men. [Marvel Unlimited]
#1-5: Multiple Man: It All Makes Sense in the End (2018 paperback, ISBN 978-1302912970 / digital)
The Age of Krakoa: X-Factor (2020) #1-10
& X-Men: The Trial of Magneto (2021) #1-5 by Leah Williams (Jul 2020 – Dec 2021)
A new team forms on Krakoa to investigate mutant deaths and resurrections. Leah Williams continues writing the team as supporting characters in X-Men: The Trial of Magneto (2021), which was originally intended as a later arc of the series. [Marvel Unlimited: X-Factor, Trial of Magneto]
#1-3 & 5: by Leah Williams, Vol. 1 (20xx paperback, ISBN 978-1302921842 /digital)
#4: X of Swords (2021 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302927172 / 2022 paperback, ISBN 978-1302929978 / digital)
Collects X of Swords (2020) Creation, Stasis, & Destruction, X-Men (2019) #12-15, Excalibur (2019) #(12?)13-15, Marauders (2019) #13-15, X-Force (2020) #13-14, New Mutants (2019) #13, Wolverine (2020) #6-7, Cable (2020) #5-6, Hellions (2020) #5-6, X-Factor (2020) #4
#6-10: by Leah Williams, Vol. 2 (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302921859 / digital)
X-Men: The Trial of Magneto (2021) #1-5: X-Men: The Trial of Magneto (2022 paperback, 978-1302932176 /digital)
X-Men – From the Ashes
X-Factor (2024) #1-10 by Mark Russell & Bob Quinn (Aug 2024 – May 2025)
Satire writer Mark Russell relaunches X-Factor as an erstwhile Government team that also feels like a spiritual sequel to the ill-fated X-Statix. [Marvel Unlimited]
#1-5: Vol. 1: Please Like and Share (2025 paperback, ISBN 978-1302960216 / digital)
#6-7 & 9-10: Vol. 2: Know Your Enemy (2025 paperback, ISBN 978-1302960223 / digital TBA)
#8: X-Manhunt (2025 paperback, ISBN 978-1302964771 / digital)
Part 5 of 7 of “X-Manhunt,” a crossover focused on Xavier. This collects (in this order) Uncanny X-Men (2024) #11, NYX (2024) #9, Storm (2024) #6, X-Men (2024) #13, X-Factor (2024) #8, X-Force (2024) #9, X-Manhunt Omega (2024) #1
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Children’s Crusade happens just prior to X-Factor #225, as that is when Rictor is shown to have his powers back and it also directly mentioned to be post Children’s Crusade #6
Thanks, JB. I made this tweak in the most-recent update.
The ‘From here the cast splinters’ section is quite out of date
Guido; 2013 Thunderbolts, New Mutants: Dead Souls, 2017 Secret Warriors among others.
Rictor & Shatterstar; 2017 Secret Warriors and New Mutants: Dead Souls before the 2018 Shatterstar volume.
Rictor alone: Iceman 2017 (except for issue 9 which Shatterstar is in), Age of X-Man: X-Tremists and Excalibur 2019, though Shatterstar later factors into that series.
Shatterstar alone: Phoenix Resurrection: The Return of Jean Grey, Extermination and 2019 X-Force series before appearing in the 2020 X-Factor series.
Rahne; 2017 X-Men: Blue series before dying in the 2019 Uncanny X-Men series and being brought back for the 2020 New Mutants series.
Darwin; Both the 2019 and 2021 volumes of X-Men.
Siryn; House of X and X of Swords: Creation before becoming part of the 2020 X-Factor volume.
Jamie and Layla appear in the first issue of All-New X-Factor. Jamie then dies in Death of X and is replaced by a dupe for the 2018 Multiple Man series who became the new Madrox prime until his death in Uncanny X-Men (2019) #22. He came back for the 2020 X-Factor series and joined Layla for X-Corp.
Schism happens shortly prior to #230
Thanks for all these new edits! I’m a bit behind on adding new guides, so it might be a week or two before I can get to shuffling all of these into the existing orders.
Avengers vs. X-Men is indirectly mentioned in #244 and the events of Avengers vs. X-Men #11 are directly mentioned in #245, with that issue most likely occurring not long after the end of Avengers vs. X-men.
Havok appears to have become a member of the Uncanny Avengers by #251, which seems likely as they make an appearance alongside other teams in #253, though without Havok.